Scouting report for the 2024 NFL Draft: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft by dissecting Texas Longhorns tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.
The 2024 NFL Draft offers a great chance for clubs to add talent at tight end on all three days of April’s draft, which may be of interest to them as they try to add true starters or depth at the position.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, a tight end for the Texas Longhorns, has gained popularity in recent weeks and is widely believed to be selected in the second or third round.
Having been a mainstay of the Longhorns passing attack for the previous three seasons, Sanders gained attention in 2022 during his sophomore year, averaging 11.4 yards per reception. Sanders established that he should be kept an eye on both a run blocker and pass receiver going into his third and final season in 2023.
Now let’s discuss our scouting report on the tight end for the Longhorns.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound Texas resident
If he can withstand the rigors of the professional game, this talented tight end with a thrilling floor can catch passes. Although Sanders is of ordinary build, he could use more muscle. Though he is inconsistent at the point of attack, he flashes as a run blocker. He can break free from turns fast and beat man coverage at his route stems to get up the field from in-line or the slot. He can run the seam or catch intermediate throws into zone pockets with great effectiveness. He can also dig in and earn combat catches below. Although teams seeking a tight end with a more well-rounded game might pass on him, it should be difficult to ignore his ability to improve as a pass-catcher and open up the passing game.”
Cinema: Advantages:
Possesses the ability to make a difference in the vertical passing game. Observing his film from the previous two seasons, Sanders demonstrated his versatility by lining up in the slot and on the line of scrimmage.
– Is able to navigate traffic while holding the ball. He’s prepared to drop his shoulder in order to continue getting extra yards.
– Is aware of how to move around in space while holding the ball. Sanders can convert a short pass into a significant gain thanks to his yards-after-catch skills.
– Is a player who developed during his time in college, playing a bigger part every year. With an average of 13.1 yards per catch, he finished the Longhorns program with 99 receptions, 1295 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Will adjust to his new duty at the next level with speed. Even though he played tight end much of his collegiate career, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect NFL teams to deploy him as a real H-Back once he enters the league. To do this, one would have to line up in the backfield and support the running game.
Good route runner with the ability to cover any route on the field. may be a real seam threat to safeties and linebackers.
– Exhibiting good body control when challenging catches. Sanders is skilled at using his size to his advantage against safeties and linebackers.
Weaknesses: – To improve as a run blocker, needs to gain at least 5 to 10 pounds of muscle. Although Sanders has had some success in this area of his game, he will struggle in this area at the next level unless he gains greater strength.
Sanders needs to be more reliable at the top of his routes, putting his feet firmly on the ground when he breaks, even though his route running abilities are strong.
– As a run blocker, one must accelerate. This entails arriving at his assignment more quickly and launching a forceful opening blow to deter defenders on run plays.
– When asked to block, must exert effort to get defenders off the ball. At the moment of attack, he must exert more physical force.
In conclusion, Sanders is a good tight end prospect who still has opportunity to develop. Teams will be divided on his roles and skills when judging him. The dynamic receiving danger depicted in the 2021 film and production can be useful in the passing game. However, he is limited by certain aspects of his game, such as his lack of physicality as a run blocker.
Although Sanders can play a variety of positions on the field and will become well-known at the next level, he still needs to gain more strength and speed to reach his full potential.
Sanders is a player the Chicago Bears should keep an eye on in the third round and, should he falter, in the fourth round as a depth option. He would develop into a checkdown option in Shane Waldron’s offense and a playmaker who could catch short passes quickly and convert them into long gains.
